Is it time Auntie abolished the TV licence fee?

When it comes to TV, we've endless choice nowadays but one thing we don't have any choice about is the BBC licence fee...

By David Bateman

When it comes to TV, we've endless choice nowadays with freeview, digital, cable and satellite channels. But one thing we don't have any choice about is the BBC licence fee.

Or do we? With the news that 12,000 Glasweigans dodged paying their licence fee last year, is it time for a shake up of the whole system?

Scotland TV has recently suffered following cuts in Scottish programming.

Last year over £13million in spending on Scottish programmes was cut by the BBC and ITV combined, the biggest cut in spending across the UK.

This is despite research showing that Scots watch the most television in the UK, spending an average of 4.2 hours daily in front of the goggle box.

Culture Minister Mike Russell said: "I am extremely disappointed both by the low level of expenditure on programmes for viewers in Scotland, and also by the low share of network programming made in Scotland and will be seeking urgent clarification from the broadcasters on these figures."

Most of the licence money spent by the BBC goes towards programmes on BBC1 and BBC2, but it also pays for the BBC News channel, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC Three, BBC Four, BBC Parliament, BBC1 Scotland and BBC2, BBC HD and Red Button interactive services. In addition to this, the money raised is also used to cover the costs of radio broadcasting on Radio One to Radio Five, and all BBC websites.

A BBC spokesman said: "We are reinvesting money following an efficiency review and this will see more news, current affairs and factual programmes for Scottish viewers amounting to over £1.5m this year."

The BBC licence fee has been in operation in Britain since 1922, when it was first introduced to cover wireless production costs.

The current price of a TV licence is £142.50 per year. With Sky and freeview channels now hugely popular, we took to the streets to find out if people think the BBC licence is still worth the money.


JIM McCABE, 48, City Centre, charity worker "It should be scrapped - digital TV makes it obsolete. It should be gone, I'm not surprised a lot of Glaswegians dodge paying it."	Margaret Gannon, 73, East Kilbride, retired "It should only be kept if they reverse the cuts they made to Scotland's programming, and give us more funding."	Phillip Rindel, 54, Cowcaddens, retired "I rarely watch TV. The BBC has some decent shows, but sadly I'm not the one who controls the remote. I have a licence, but I'm not surprised that people try and dodge it."	Maggie Boulter, 65, Pollokshaws, retired "I received a final notice once, having already paid my licence, so I think it should be scrapped - £142 is a lot of money to some people."

Hughina Matthew, 78, Milton, retired

"I don't think it's worth it. Sky or freeview is the people's choice, and the BBC is just constant repeats all week - it's not worth the money."

Joe Traynor, 58, Coatbridge, retired

"It's not worth it. There's too many terrestrial channels, why should it all go to the BBC? It is outdated - maybe it should be on a pay-per-view basis."